BIOGRAPHY

Brilliant magician of sound pays tribute to Rachmaninoff

A recital by this magician of sound is always a special event. Pletnev is a pianist of great contrasts: the quieting down he includes in his mysterious and melancholic play is just as special as the dazzling virtuosity he can suddenly dash off. He is especially commended for the light and clear style with which he plays. He thereby follows in the steps of pianists as Rachmaninoff and Godowsky. Moreover, his unusually rich arsenal of tonal colours and of the styles he disposes of reminds us of these great predecessors.

MIKHAIL PLETNEV

In March 2006 Trouw made this comment: ‘Pletnev likes to differ significantly from others in the way he plays. Secondary matters sometimes become the main theme, and at times he pushes the main themes into the background. Such a beauty of sound was not heard in this concert hall since the days of Cherkassky and Horowitz. His legato- and cantabile-interpretations were inimitable. Just as marvellous were the numerous gradations in pianissimo and his feather light touch. Pletnev makes you forget that the piano is a percussion instrument.’

This was in 2006 and it would be his last recital, at least for some time. Pletnev is also a gifted conductor and excels as a composer and in making arrangements. This made him decide to pursue a career as director, the more so since he disliked just siting by himself on the podium. But, fortunately, he reverted that decision, and since December 2014 we may once again enjoy his masterly touch. In all compositions Pletnev showed that his legendary touch has only become even more gracious. Each tone received the exact intonation, length and colour. However softly Pletnev played, the grand piano responded and everything remained crystal clear. This quality made listening to Pletnev an unforgettable sensation of sound. Pletnev searches for the emotional meaning behind all notes and tells fascinating stories.

Mikhail Pletnev was born on April 14, 1957 in a musical family in Archangelsk, that at the time was part of the Soviet Union. The super talent begin his studies when he was seventeen at the Conservatory in Moscow, under such celebrated pedagogues as Yakov Flier and Lev Vlassenko.

Only just four years later he won the First Prize in the sixth Tchaikovsky Competition, which brought him instant fame. Pletnev: ‘I think there are two purposes, two reasons why to play or not to play. The first is enjoyment. You play a nice tune, you enjoy. It ’ s lovely. Secondly, and this is when we talk about the more sublime, like Beethoven ’ s last sonata, it tends to be more spiritual. That ’s a serious task. And from this point of view I accept very much light music, which I enjoy, if it is good jazz, etc. – even by great composers, like Chopin and the many nice waltzes; they ’re not pretending to be sublime. Even Strauss, I like his music too. But there is also greater music which has more spirit and which is unreachable.’

Pletnev’s greates hero is Sergei Rachmaninoff, with whom he happens to share his second name (Vasilievich). This time he pays tribute to his hero with a recital that is fully dedicated to his unique, lyrical melodies.

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